Tag: la rams

Seahawks QB Geno Smith caught fire towards halftime vs. Rams

Seahawks QB Geno Smith caught fire towards halftime vs. Rams

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith endured an up-and-down performance in Sunday’s tough-to-swallow Week 9 loss to their NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams. Smith completed 21 of 34 passing attempts for 363 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. He was also sacked on seven occasions and was under constant duress behind an offensive line that couldn’t protect him. He was fortunate to avoid additional turnovers given the amount of pressure he routinely faced.

Following a scoreless first quarter, Sean McVay’s Rams took a 3-0 lead near the conclusion of the second period. That’s when Smith caught absolute fire for the Seahawks. Smith completed 6-of-9 attempts for 125 yards and two touchdowns in the final 3:31 of the opening half, locating Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba for late touchdowns.

Smith’s red-hot form awarded the Seahawks a 14-3 lead entering the break. Unfortunately, Smith, and the entire team really, crumbled during the second half. The Rams outscored Seattle 14-0 during the third quarter and began the fourth quarter on a 21-0 run by adding a defensive touchdown. Smith managed to find Smith-Njigba for his second touchdown to force overtime.

Smith and the Seahawks won the toss and embarked on a seven-play drive that stalled at the Rams’ 17-yard line. Head coach Mike Macdonald opted for a 4th-and-1 gamble instead of kicking the field goal, and the Rams defense held firm by stuffing Kenneth Walker at the line of scrimmage. Opposing quarterback Matthew Stafford quickly found DeMarcus Robinson for a game-winning 39 yard score.

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Seahawks must establish RB Kenneth Walker III vs. Rams in Week 9

Seahawks must establish RB Kenneth Walker III vs. Rams in Week 9

The Seattle Seahawks failed to run the football effectively versus the Buffalo Bills in their Week 8 blowout defeat. Starting running back Kenneth Walker II was completely ineffective, rushing for 12 yards via nine carries. Change-of-pace back Zach Charbonnet rushed for four yards and a touchdown on three carries. Starting quarterback Geno Smith was actually Seattle’s leading rusher, a sign of their ground-game failure, gaining 16 yards via five scrambles.

Establishing Walker versus the Los Angeles Rams in Sunday’s Week 9 NFC West showdown is a must. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has faced difficult questions about abandoning the run this week. Grubb will surely attempt to get Walker going against the Rams.

Grubb dialed up seven passing attempts on Seattle’s opening nine offensive plays from scrimmage. The Seahawks immediately went into a pass-happy shell while the game was still close against Buffalo. That can’t be repeated versus the Rams.

Sean McVay’s Rams have struggled to defend the run this season. They’re currently allowing a 23rd-ranked 139.1 rushing yards per contest. Seattle’s offense is essentially the opposite of that, rushing for a lackluster fourth-worst 89.3 ground yards per outing. Analytics indicate the Rams actually have an 11th-best run-stop-win-rate (RSWR) of 32%, according to ESPN Stats & Info. Meanwhile, Seattle’s run-block-win-rate (RBWR) is just 69%, 25th-best in the league, indicating the struggling offensive line is to blame for the run-game struggles.

Walker rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in a Week 1 victory over the Denver Broncos. It’s been difficult to repeat those efforts, with a disappointing string that included showings of 19, 32, and 12 rushing yards. Establishing Walker against the Rams is a necessity given the recent ground-game struggles.

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3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks offense vs. Rams in Week 9

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks offense vs. Rams in Week 9

The 4-4 Seattle Seahawks host the 3-4 Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field this weekend. It’s a critical divisional showdown to further determine the standings in the tight-knit NFC West. We’ve come up with three bold predictions for Ryan Grubb’s offense against the Rams defense.

Kenneth Walker III rushes for 100 yards

Kenneth Walker III was a non-factor in Sunday’s defeat to the Buffalo Bills, rushing for 12 yards via nine carries. Grubb will attempt to establish Walker against the Rams this weekend. The former Michigan State standout hasn’t rushed for 100-plus yards since Week 1, but all parties involved will be looking to end that drought against a 23rd-ranked Rams run defense that’s allowing 139.1 yards per game.

Tyler Lockett enjoys bounce-back game

Veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett was another offensive weapon that was borderline invisible versus the Bills. Despite DK Metcalf being sidelined with injury, Lockett recorded season-lows in receptions (one) and receiving yards (nine). With Metcalf’s status versus the Rams still questionable heading into Friday’s practice, Seattle’s most established wideout may need to put forth a much better performance against the Rams.

Geno Smith throws two touchdowns

Geno Smith did not throw a touchdown pass for the first time this season against Buffalo. Prior to the Bills disappointment, Seattle’s starting quarterback had thrown eight touchdowns in seven appearances. Smith could toss multiple scores against an outmatched Rams secondary that ranks a middling 16th versus the pass (212.6/game).

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Seahawks DL Leonard Williams gives detailed answer on struggling run defense

Seahawks DL Leonard Williams gives detailed answer on struggling run defense

The Seattle Seahawks are struggling to defend the run this season. Mike Macdonald’s inconsistent unit will enter Sunday’s Week 9 game versus the Los Angeles Rams allowing a 29th-ranked 148.4 rushing yards per contest. The challenge against Rams running back Kyren Williams will be sizable.

Seattle is allowing the fifth-highest yards per carry average (4.9) in the league. Veteran defensive lineman Leonard Williams met with the media following Thursday’s practice and faced questions about the run defense. Williams offered an incredibly detailed answer.

“When you’re trying to correct something [run defense] for a few weeks, there’s a lot of competitors on this team,” Williams began. There are guys who want to put it all [the blame] on their shoulders, which is respectable. Everyone is competitive, they want to be the one to make the play. In times like that, we end up [trying to] do other people’s jobs and that affects the rest of the defense. It goes back to consistency, just consistently do your job and we’ll eventually all come together as 11. It’s about us getting back to basics and trusting that your teammate is going to do his job,” Williams concluded.

The Rams are averaging a seventh-worst 101.3 rushing yards per contest. Their 3.9 yards per carry average ranks 30th in the league. That’s despite superstar running back Kyren Williams scoring a touchdown in every game this season. Seattle’s defense will attempt to remain disciplined against LA’s struggling ground attack on Sunday.

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3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Rams in Week 9

3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks defense vs. Rams in Week 9

The 4-4 Seattle Seahawks host the 3-4 Los Angeles Rams this weekend. It’s a critical game to further determine the standings in a tight-knit NFC West division. We’ve conjured up three bold predictions for Mike Macdonald’s defense against Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Co.

Seahawks keep Kyren Williams out of the end-zone

Rams running back Kyren Williams has scored a touchdown in every contest this season. LA’s Week 8 victory over the Minnesota Vikings marked the first game of the campaign that he hasn’t rushed for a touchdown, but the former Notre Dame standout was on the receiving end of a Stafford passing score. The Seahawks are struggling to defend the run, allowing a 29th-ranked 148.4 ground yards per outing. Preventing Williams from reaching the end-zone would qualify as a major victory.

Derick Hall records his 6th sack

Sophomore pass rusher Derick Hall leads the Seahawks in sacks with five quarterback takedowns this season. The No. 37 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft has gone ice-cold, failing to record a sack in three consecutive contests. Hall ends the recent drought on Sunday by recording his team-leading sixth sack, dragging Stafford down.

Riq Woolen intercepts Stafford

Seattle’s No. 1 cornerback Riq Woolen was a full participant at Thursday’s practice. Woolen continues to work through an ankle injury that sidelined him for two contests. He returned to a full workload versus the Buffalo Bills, and could continue rounding back into tip-top form by intercepting Stafford.

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Rams WR Puka Nacua injures knee, could miss Seahawks game

Rams WR Puka Nacua injures knee, could miss Seahawks game

The Seattle Seahawks have a critical game on the schedule this weekend. The 4-4 Seahawks will host the 3-4 Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field in a potentially decisive NFC West showdown. The Rams may be short-handed following an injury at Thursday’s practice.

Superstar sophomore receiver Puka Nacua recently returned to the Rams’ lineup from a knee injury he suffered versus the Detroit Lions in Week 1. Nacua was sidelined for the Rams’ following five games. He returned in their Week 8 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, recording seven receptions on nine targets for 106 receiving yards.

Nacua was expected to keep that momentum going versus the Seahawks this weekend, but he may have suffered a setback at Thursday’s practice. Nacua exited the session with an injury to the same knee he injured earlier this season, according to multiple reports from media members in attendance. Rams head coach Sean McVay would miss his sophomore wideout. His availability against Seattle is certainly at risk this weekend.

Nacua has totaled 11 catches via 13 targets for 141 receiving yards in just two appearances this season. His absence would qualify as a big-time break for a struggling Seahawks defense. We’ll monitor Nacua’s status leading up to Sunday’s NFC West rival game.

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Rams should take the reins off Puka Nacua in return from IR

Puka Nacua is set to return from injury and here’s why the Rams should waste no time getting him involved in their gameplan.

Barring any last minute changes, the Los Angeles Rams are set to have both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp on the field for the first time since Week 1. While Kupp’s return has been highly anticipated and without much concern considering the team didn’t place him on injured reserve, Nacua’s situation is very different.

Nacua has been dealing with a lingering knee injury since training camp, an injury he aggravated in the season opener in Detroit. The injury forced the Rams to place Nacua on IR and this will be his first full contact activity since then.

While many would hope the Rams slowly bring him up to speed, this is a critical game against the Vikings, a game that could tie Los Angeles for second place in the NFC West and put them only one game out of first place.

Considering the records in the NFC, winning the division may be the only way the Rams make the playoffs and it’s time to throw the kitchen sink at that goal. Nacua is young, he’s smart and he knows what his body can handle. The Rams need to put him on the field and he should see at least 30 snaps tonight.

The season hangs in the balance and should things not go their way, they can limit Nacua down the stretch. But this is a team that is coming off of a victory, they’re playing on a short week and both sides are entering this game bruised and battered.

The Vikings were on the losing end of a war against Detroit last week and perhaps having to endure such punishment for no reward may have dampened their spirits. The Rams need to strike while the iron is hot and no one has had a hotter hand in the NFL over the past 18 months than Puka Nacua. Let him do what he does best and that’s dominate.

Fantasy football: Where to draft LA Rams RB Blake Corum

Analyzing LA Rams RB Blake Corum’s 2024 fantasy football ADP and where to target him in fantasy drafts.

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LA Rams RB Blake Corum was a 3rd-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Michigan. He rushed for more than 1,200 yards in his junior and senior years and was an All-American. Below, we look at Blake Corum’s 2024 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.

Corum is expected to play a big part in the Rams offense in 2024. A threat both rushing and receiving, the rookie is worth a look in terms of fantasy value.

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Blake Corum’s ADP: 107.82

(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com; last updated at time of this publishing – ADPs continually change as more drafts occur)

Corum has an ADP of 107.82 in redraft leagues, which puts him in the range of the 10th to 12th round, depending on the size of the league. His ADP is lower than his RB teammate Kyren Williams (20.83).

Among RBs, Corum’s ADP puts him 37th at the position, behind Jerome Ford (Cleveland Browns, 93.92), Jaylen Warren (Pittsburgh Steelers, 95.31), Zack Moss (Cincinnati Bengals, 95.70) and Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals, 96.57) and ahead of Trey Benson (Arizona Cardinals, 110.41).

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Blake Corum’s 2023 Michigan stats

Games: 15

Carries | rushing yards: 258 | 1,245

Rushing touchdowns: 16

Receptions | receiving yards: 16 | 117

Receiving touchdowns: 1

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Where should you draft Corum?

Corum’s fantasy value may be a mixed bag this season due to his backup position behind Williams, although he possesses too much talent to be kept on the Los Angeles bench.

He averaged 5.5 yards per carry in his college career while eclipsing 1,000 yards in 2 of his 4 years. He also can be utilized in the passing attack. In his senior season, he had 16 receptions for 117 yards, which could be a reason for him to see more playing time.

Draft Corum in the 11th round or later in 10-team leagues. Williams has been spectacular which will put Corum in a tough spot. He will have low value during an initial fantasy draft, but he is a player who could be more valuable as the season progresses.

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Fantasy football: Where to draft LA Rams QB Matthew Stafford

Analyzing LA Rams QB Matthew Stafford’s 2024 fantasy football ADP and where to target him in fantasy drafts.

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LA Rams QB Matthew Stafford has been among the best gunslingers in the NFL throughout his career. He is coming off a near 4,000 passing yard season, a feat he has accomplished 9 times in his career.

Below, we look at Matthew Stafford’s 2024 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.

Entering 2024, Stafford is expected to continue being a top QB in the NFC despite turning 36, and with the retirement of DT Aaron Donald, Stafford and the Rams offense will have to produce even more to compensate for the loss on defense.

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Matthew Stafford’s ADP: 122.37

(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com; last updated at time of this publishing – ADPs continually change as more drafts occur)

Stafford has an ADP of 122.37 in redraft leagues, which puts him in the range of the 12th to 14th round, depending on the size of the league.

Among quarterbacks, Stafford’s ADP puts him 23rd at the position, behind  Justin Herbert (LA Chargers, 120.96) and rookie Bo Nix (Denver Broncos, 119.03). Stafford’s ADP has him just ahead of Kirk Cousins (Atlanta Falcons, 124.26) and Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 131.27).

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Matthew Stafford’s 2023-24 stats

Games: 14

Passing yards: 3,787

Completions | attempts: 333 | 481

Passing touchdowns: 24

Interceptions: 10

Carries | rushing yards: 88 | 423

Rushing touchdowns: 5

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Where should you draft Stafford?

We know Stafford can make any throw on the field and is among the most talented and experienced QBs in the NFL. Combined with elite WR weapons in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, it has me scratching my head as to why his ADP is so low.

The worries with drafting Stafford are primarily his age and health, but he is coming off a season where he played 15 games and played in the NFC Wild Card, so I’m not too worried there. I understand that Kupp is aging and is no longer his triple-crown self, but he is still a very reliable receiver.

Another worry with drafting Stafford is the fact that RBs Kyren Williams and rookie Blake Corum will get a lot of touches. But this is a Rams offense that will need to pass to win games.

Draft Stafford as a depth guy in your QB room. If you can get a high-value fantasy QB1 when QBs start flying off the board, then feel very comfortable and confident in drafting Stafford in a late round as a QB2 that you will likely start for at least a few weeks throughout the season.

Stafford is much better and more valuable than his ADP suggests.

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Fantasy football: Where to draft LA Rams WR Puka Nacua

Analyzing LA Rams WR Puka Nacua’s 2024 fantasy football ADP and where to target him in fantasy drafts.

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Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua exploded onto the scene last season, going from overlooked 5th-round draft pick to NFL sensation seemingly overnight.

Nacua picked up the slack in a huge way with WR Cooper Kupp starting last season on the reserve/injured list due to a hamstring injury. In his first 2 NFL games, Nacua set the tone for the season, posting 25 receptions on 35 targets with 266 receiving yards while hitting at least 119 yards in each of the outings.

Kupp was able to return in early October, but Nacua didn’t really slow down. He remained consistent while never having fewer than 3 receptions at any point. He also had seven 100-yard games while finding the end zone 6 times in the regular season. And while it didn’t mean anything to most fantasy managers outside of DFS and postseason leagues, he exploded for 9 grabs, 181 yards and a TD in an NFC Wild Card loss in Detroit.

There is little reason to believe the younger Nacua will be supplanted as the WR1 in Los Angeles. It’s his job to lose now, as Kupp has dealt with injuries the past 2 seasons, and his small frame and high volume is starting to take its toll. Below, we look at Puka Nacua’s 2024 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.

As we head into the 2024 season, Nacua can be counted upon as a legit WR1 in most fantasy formats.

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Puka Nacua’s ADP: 16.96

(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com; last updated at time of this publishing – ADPs continually change as more drafts occur)

Nacua’s 16.96 ADP in redraft formats makes him a solid WR1, and he is a nice option at receiver in most leagues. The former BYU standout should start flying off the board by the end of Round 2, and there is very little chance he lasts any longer than the middle of Round 3.

Nacua’s ADP ranks him 8th among wideouts. The receivers picked in front of him include Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals, 8.21), A.J. Brown (Philadelphia Eagles, 11.33), Garrett Wilson (New York Jets, 14.97) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals, 16.34). Nacua has been going off the board just ahead of Davante Adams (Las Vegas Raiders, 22.47), his teammate Kupp (26.37) and Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints, 27.96).

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Puka Nacua’s 2023-24 stats

Games: 17

Receptions | targets: 105 | 160

Receiving yards: 1,486

Receiving touchdowns: 6

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Where should you draft Pacua?

Nacua broke the NFL record for most catches and receiving yards by a rookie, and the yardage mark had stood since 1960 when Bill Groman rolled up 1,473 receiving yards on just 72 catches while posting 12 TDs in 14 games for the Houston Oilers.

Nacua has been nursing a nagging knee injury in training camp and the preseason, but it doesn’t sound like something which will hamper him into Week 1. He is a must-start WR1 in all fantasy formats, even with a healthy Kupp also serving as a WR1 in PPR leagues.

The Rams pass attack is going to be outstanding as long as everyone stays healthy, and even RB Kyren Williams is a threat to catch balls out of the backfield.

Once the top-notch options are off the board, grabbing Nacua at the end of Round 2 or into Round 3 is a strong pick. Could there be a backslide with a full season trying to co-exist with Kupp? Maybe. But, both receivers are likely to see a lot of single coverage, too, leading to some giant stat lines.

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